Uncertainty over Bandiana defence jobs

Fri Apr 05 11:20:48 EST 2013

It is hoped 420 maintenance jobs at Bandiana, near Wodonga, will be retained, despite a contract held by BAE Systems going to another company.

The Department of Defence has announced Sydney-based company Transfield Services as the preferred tender to take over the maintenance of military vehicles, including Abrams tanks and light armoured vehicles.

The defence force is renegotiating the maintenance contract, which is due to expire in June.

The contract is yet to be signed but a spokesman told the ABC, if successful, Transfield would welcome applications from anyone, including those currently employed by the existing contractors.

A BAE spokeswoman says once the contract goes to the successful tender, the new firm might decide to keep the jobs or get rid of them completely.

BAE has had the Bandiana contract since 2008 and employs 5,500 people across Australia.